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Hague among potential September callups

Hague among potential September callups

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PITTSBURGH -- Triple-A first baseman Matt Hague is among a dozen or so players that the Pirates are considering adding once rosters expand on Sept. 1, manager Clint Hurdle said on Wednesday.

Hurdle said he'd like to keep the roster manageable, meaning that the number of players with Pittsburgh would likely be capped at about 35. Some players could be brought up on Sept. 1, while others might finish out the Minor League season first.

The Pirates will likely add at least one catcher from their Triple-A affiliate, and will certainly bring up some extra pitchers. In addition to the pitchers currently in Pittsburgh, Daniel Moskos and Evan Meek are leading candidates to be added. Meek has been on the disabled list since mid-June.

Alex Presley and Chase d'Arnaud will be here next month, if not before, and third baseman Pedro Alvarez could be back as well. All are already on the 40-man roster.

Summoning Hague would require that the Pirates clear a spot for him on the 40-man roster. But as they did with Presley last year, the Pirates would like to reward Hague for a stellar season.

In 130 games with Triple-A Indianapolis this year, Hague has hit .318 with 34 doubles, 12 homers and 70 RBIs. A ninth-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Hague ranks third in the International League in batting average, seventh in on-base percentage (.377) and second in total bases (229).